.jpg)
I often feel that when people discover something new and secure a patent, they either take a long time to bring that discovery to market as a product, or they don’t do it at all and simply hold onto the patent. I’ve heard that some patents never make it to market because existing competitors don’t have similar products, so there’s no pressure to disrupt the status quo. This is how many significant innovations are suppressed. Big companies often hold numerous patents without releasing them, nor do they allow others to do so. When they need to grow in a competitive market, they might finally utilize these patents to release innovative products.
While obtaining patents is a positive step, as it recognizes the discoverer’s rights, it’s unfortunate when the final product never reaches the market. This means that valuable innovations go to waste and remain unused.
I recently read an article about using ceramics as an alternative to silicon in creating solar panels. Previously, I wrote about the need to manage solar waste. Solar panels typically last up to 25 years, after which they need to be scrapped. We need facilities to recycle these panels as many are now reaching the end of their lifespan. If we could develop a solution that extends their life beyond 25 years, it would significantly reduce electronic waste.
Creating energy through more cost-effective means than current solar panels would be fantastic, but this requires substantial innovation. Unfortunately, many innovations become patents that never materialize into real products. Efficient batteries are crucial for this progress. While storage devices have become significantly smaller over the years due to continuous innovation, there is always room for further improvement.
These are just my opinions, and the reality can sometimes be different. There are also various challenges in bringing an innovation to market, which might explain why some patents remain dormant.
